By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The San Antonio Spurs left no room for drama at Target Center on Friday, never trailing and building a lead of over 30 points en route to defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 139–109. They captured the best-of-seven series 4–2 and advanced to the Western Conference Finals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google.
The blowout victory, which secures the first appearance in the Conference Finals since 2017, maintained a heavy French presence with a marquee matchup of premier interior defenders.
On the winning side, Victor Wembanyama dominated the paint, lasting 27 minutes in Game 6 to tally 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line, while adding six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists.
In stark contrast, his compatriot and opposite starting center, fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert, struggled mightily, finishing with zero points on 0-of-4 shooting from inside the arc alongside three rebounds in 22 minutes of action. A third French import, Joan Beringer, squeezed in four points, two rebounds, one block, and one steal in eight late minutes, while Italian starting guard Donte DiVincenzo remained sidelined.
Earlier in the evening at Rocket Arena, the top-seeded Detroit Pistons routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 115–94, successfully forcing a decisive Game 7 in their Eastern Conference second-round series. Cade Cunningham led the charge with 21 points and five three-pointers.
Representing Germany, Cavs guard Dennis Schroder logged 15 minutes off the bench but went 0-of-4 from the field for zero points, though he did log three assists and two rebounds. European teammates, Dutch Tristan Enaruna and French Olivier Sarr, both remained inactive.
A winner-take-all Game 7 will be held on Sunday in Detroit.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-3 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – New York Knicks / New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions